The imposing aura of Yuki Haku swept across the entire arena like a raging snowstorm.
A bone-chilling cold spread outward like waves washing over the battlefield. Though it was supposed to be the cool season of autumn, delicate snowflakes suddenly began to fall from the sky.
The long lance in Haku's hand cut through the air with explosive sonic booms as it pointed toward the assembled shinobi.
Behind him, more than a dozen Frost Dragon Knights descended in perfect formation.
In an instant, they occupied most of the selection arena, their gazes sweeping across the field with open arrogance and challenge.
For a moment, the gathered ninja were stunned.
Then fury erupted.
Among them, the Uchiha clan reacted the most intensely.
They weren't known for elaborate insults, so instead of words, they responded with action.
In an instant, blazing flames and icy currents clashed across the arena. Shouts and dragon roars intertwined.
Watching this unfold, Hatake Sakumo and Might Dai suddenly realized something very clearly—
Their current strength truly wasn't enough.
The Frost Dragons possessed powerful physiques, razor-sharp claws and fangs, and scales as hard as steel.
When they charged forward, they were like unstoppable war machines to anyone below the Morning Star level.
And with their riders mounted at the neck and chest, wielding heavy lances and unleashing ice-element magical abilities, their combined power became even more terrifying.
The synergy between dragon and rider placed enormous pressure on even the Elite Jōnin of the Uchiha clan with three-tomoe Sharingan.
Flames erupted.
Techniques such as Flame Release and Lava Release roared into the sky.
Massive fire dragons spewed from the mouths of Uchiha shinobi, melting the spreading frost.
But the blazing inferno was slowly buried under expanding sheets of ice and snow.
Steam rose violently as the heat met the frost, filling the battlefield with scorching vapor.
Many weaker combat ninjas nearby quickly retreated from the intense environment.
Yet at the center of the arena—
Where Yuki Haku stood mounted on the Frost Dragon King—
A raging blizzard still swirled endlessly.
Watching the battle unfold, Haku nodded in satisfaction.
His clan members clearly held a slight advantage even against the Uchiha.
And that fact pleased him greatly.
Even the mighty Uchiha clan…
If they wished to follow closely behind the Supreme Leader, then the ones who truly deserved that place were the Dragon Riders of the Yuki clan.
"A bit arrogant, aren't they?"
Uchiha Hikari looked around.
Most of the powerful Uchiha were already stationed in important positions across the ninja army.
The only ones currently by her side were four newly promoted Morning Star–level shinobi.
Against Haku, who had already reached the Radiant Moon level, even if the four attacked together they might still lose.
A one-on-one duel was even less possible.
In the entire army, the only ones guaranteed to defeat Haku were Uchiha Hikari herself and Uzumaki Minako.
Soon, one of the Morning Star Uchiha could no longer tolerate Haku's arrogance and stepped onto the arena.
Within a few exchanges—
He was sent flying by a single strike from the Frost Dragon King.
The overwhelming difference in strength made the rest hesitate.
No matter how angry they were, none of them wished to become stepping stones for the Yuki clan.
(Damn it… this was supposed to be the Uchiha clan's showcase. Why did these people suddenly appear?!)
Despite their frustration, the Uchiha didn't actually hate the Yuki clan.
Instead, many of them stared enviously at the majestic Frost Dragons beneath the riders.
Under the subtle guidance of Uchiha Soren, a philosophy had spread across the ninja world:
The strong deserve more.
The strong deserve admiration.
At the same time, a strict rule had also become deeply ingrained—
The strong must not attack the weak without reason.
After all, the Uchiha Military Police Force enforced that law mercilessly.
"The combination of dragon and rider is honestly a little unfair."
Uchiha Hikari seemed to understand what everyone was thinking.
She had no intention of suppressing them with her own strength.
Instead, like many of the combat ninjas watching the battle, she focused on the deeper significance represented by the Frost Dragon Riders.
If Frost Dragons existed…
Then Flame Dragons and Fire Dragons could also exist.
If Uchiha shinobi with Flame Release or Lava Release could fuse with the bloodline power of such dragons—
Then what could the Yuki clan, whose foundation was only Ice Release, possibly use to compete with the Uchiha?
How powerful would the Uchiha become at that point?
Many such beautiful possibilities filled the minds of the Uchiha clan members.
Soon, most of their thoughts drifted away from the arena entirely.
Instead, they began thinking about the Konoha Scientific Research Institute.
And more specifically—
Its director, Uchiha Munaki.
(That director is useless!)
(He actually gave the good things to outsiders before giving them to our own clan!)
(When we get back, we must replace him and benefit the Uchiha clan!)
Meanwhile, the defeated Morning Star Uchiha was receiving healing magic.
Warm magical energy flowed through his body, gradually restoring color to his pale face.
Compared to medical ninjutsu—where one burned their own life force to accelerate healing—
The magic of the Magic Continent was far gentler.
Even after being smashed by the Frost Dragon King's heavy strike, the injured Uchiha still had enough strength to curse the innocent Uchiha Munaki in his heart.
"What a bunch of worthless fools."
"If it weren't for people like you around the Supreme Leader…"
"The Magic Continent would have been conquered long ago!"
Haku openly mocked the entire crowd.
After a while, he seemed to lose interest.
He returned the dragon lance to the weapon harness on the Frost Dragon King.
Then he jumped down from the dragon's back, landing lightly on the ground.
Facing the three glaring Morning Star Uchiha, he waved his hand, dismissing the Frost Dragon King.
Then he beckoned toward them with a smile.
"You three—come at me."
"I don't mind the weak attacking together."
"Even without the Frost Dragon King…"
"You're still not my opponents."
"Arrogant!"
"Insolent!"
"Outrageous!"
Such blatant provocation was impossible for Uchiha shinobi to endure.
Three figures instantly rushed forward from three different directions.
"Ice Domain!"
Haku's cold voice echoed.
Snow and frost surged outward.
The three charging Uchiha instantly slowed as if trapped in a frozen field.
"Slash!"
Three crescent-shaped waves of icy-blue sword energy shot forward.
None of the three Uchiha attempted to dodge.
Their hands flashed through rapid seals.
Two of them unleashed massive Flame Release and Lava Release techniques that transformed into blazing fire dragons.
The third Uchiha drew his blade and unleashed a chilling white sword aura.
Three pairs of scarlet Sharingan stared directly at Haku.
The moment he made even the slightest mistake—
They would trap him in a chain of genjutsu until he collapsed.
The battle reached its climax almost instantly.
Around the arena, many Uchiha shinobi had already activated their Sharingan, copying the combat experience and techniques of the fighters.
As long as they survived—
Every awakened Uchiha would continue growing stronger.
Nearby, Hatake Sakumo and Might Dai watched the clash of blades, fire, and ice with excitement.
This was exactly the kind of strength they wanted to achieve.
"So it looks like a duel… but he's still borrowing the dragon's power."
"Though perhaps 'borrowing' isn't quite the right word."
From her vantage point, Uchiha Hikari's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan saw far more clearly.
An invisible yet tangible connection existed between Yuki Haku and the Frost Dragon King.
Even Haku's chakra had changed.
It had become a new kind of energy—
A fusion of chakra and magic, linked through their bloodline.
This energy strengthened the body far more than chakra alone.
Ice-element techniques—whether ninjutsu or magic—were also significantly enhanced.
However—
All other elemental techniques had become completely unusable.
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